Guide
Reading the label on a bag of whole sardines
Updated
The freeze dried sardines guaranteed analysis on our label has four lines: crude protein min 52%, crude fat min 13%, crude fiber max 5% and moisture max 14%. Under them sits one energy line, 3,347 kcal ME/kg, approximately 94.9 kcal/oz. The sardine heads label prints the same numbers. The anchovy label prints its own.
What does the guaranteed analysis on freeze-dried sardines say?
Here is the exact text, line by line. The bag says: "Crude Protein (min): 52%", "Crude Fat (min): 13%", "Crude Fiber (max): 5%", "Moisture (max): 14%" and "Metabolizable Energy: 3,347 kcal ME/kg (approximately 94.9 kcal/oz)".
That is the whole panel for the sardine bag, and this page sticks to it. A label is a spec sheet, a bit like the numbers molded into a tire sidewall: it tells you what is printed and leaves the driving to you. We read it out, line by line, and we do not add meaning the label does not carry.
The sardine listing names sardines as the only ingredient, with nothing added. Treat the analysis as a description of that one product, not as a promise about any particular pet.
What do min and max mean on these lines?
Only what the words say. Crude protein and crude fat are printed with "min," so each figure is given as a minimum. Crude fiber and moisture are printed with "max," so each figure is given as a maximum.
We are not going to explain the rules behind a guaranteed analysis here, and we are not going to tell you whether a number is good or bad. The label does not do that, and a page that did would be guessing. If you want a reading of these numbers for your own pet, your veterinarian is the person to ask.
"Crude" is the word printed in front of protein, fat and fiber. It sits on the label as written, so it appears here as written.
What does 3,347 kcal ME/kg come to per ounce?
The label prints both figures in its energy line, "3,347 kcal ME/kg (approximately 94.9 kcal/oz)", so there is no conversion to do.
The first is per kilogram and the second is per ounce, and the label gives you each one directly. The letters ME stand for metabolizable energy, as the label spells out.
If you want the portion method that uses 94.9, our guide on how much sardines a dog can have walks through it. This page stays with the label.
Do sardine heads print the same numbers?
Yes. The sardine heads label prints crude protein min 52%, crude fat min 13%, crude fiber max 5% and moisture max 14%, with 3,347 kcal ME/kg, approximately 94.9 kcal/oz. Those are identical to the whole sardine lines as printed. We give no reason for that and will not invent one.
The heads are their own product, with their own page, and the listing calls the ingredient whole sardine heads with nothing added. You can read the heads page at sardine heads.
One note on handling. The sardine heads listing says: "This is raw fish, so wash your hands after handling it." It is a good line to keep in mind with any of the bags.
How do the anchovy numbers compare?
The anchovy label prints different figures, and the table below sets all three side by side. Every value is exactly as the label line gives it, with min and max kept.
| Whole sardines | Sardine heads | Anchovies | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude protein | min 52% | min 52% | min 67% |
| Crude fat | min 13% | min 13% | min 5% |
| Crude fiber | max 5% | max 5% | max 6% |
| Moisture | max 14% | max 14% | max 11% |
| kcal ME/kg | 3,347 | 3,347 | 2,930 |
| kcal per ounce | approximately 94.9 | approximately 94.9 | approximately 83.1 |
A few differences stand out if you only compare the printed numbers. The anchovy label gives a higher protein minimum and a lower fat minimum than the sardine label does. Its energy figure is also lower per ounce, 83.1 against 94.9. That is arithmetic on two labels, nothing more.
The minnow listing gives no guaranteed analysis or calorie figure. We have not seen a minnow label, so we cannot say what one prints. The minnows are sold out right now, and the button reads "Sold out, back soon."
For the anchovy side of the table, the label sits on the freeze-dried anchovies page, and the sardine bag is on the freeze-dried sardines page.
Questions
Does the minnow listing give a guaranteed analysis?
No. The minnow listing gives no guaranteed analysis and no calorie figure. We have not seen the minnow label, so we will not say what it prints. Compare the sardine, sardine heads and anchovy labels in the table above instead.
Does the label list anything besides sardines?
The sardine listing names sardines as the only ingredient and says nothing added. This page covers only the analysis and calorie lines printed on the label. For the ingredient wording, read the listing on the sardine page.
Does the calorie figure feed the treat calculator?
Yes. The treat budget calculator on the sardine page uses the label's energy figure. You type in your dog's daily calories, and it shows the treat budget and the weight of sardines that equals. It is arithmetic, not feeding advice.
Does a guaranteed analysis mean the sardines can be a meal?
No. These are a treat or a meal topper, not a complete diet. The listing says to give fresh water and supervise while feeding. The analysis describes the fish. It does not turn a treat into a meal.
Where can I read these numbers before buying?
Each product page carries its label figures: the sardine page, the sardine heads page and the anchovy page. The numbers in the table above are the ones printed on those labels, so you can check them against the pages.